Posts Tagged ‘replacement windows’

Replacement windows for your home can be significant investment in both time and money. There are many manufacturers, window types and styles, and a wide price range from which to choose, and the decisions you must make can seem endless. Which manufacturer should you go with? Do you want aluminum windows or vinyl windows? Should you choose hurricane impact resistant windows or non-impact windows with hurricane shutters? What about double pane-thermal insulated or thermal insulated with hurricane impact resistant glass? How can you take advantage of the new Energy tax credit of up to ,500.00? Of course, as you make these choices you’re reminded that buying windows is like buying anything else: the more items we put in our ‘cart’, the higher the price. Choosing the right windows and a reputable company to install them for you can take a lot of time and homework, so here is some helpful information to get you well on your way.

Choosing Frames

In Florida, some other considerations are whether to choose an aluminum frame window or vinyl. The majority of hurricane impact resistant windows are aluminum. It is stronger and therefore easier to build the window to the standards needed to obtain Miami-Dade product approval for the impact window rating. There are very nice vinyl impact windows on the market that do meet code requirements, however expect to pay a premium for them. The difference between aluminum frame and vinyl windows (besides the price) is that vinyl conducts far less heat than aluminum, making vinyl much more energy efficient.

New Lead Paint Rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency are now in effect and affects all homes built prior to 1978.

The EPA’s New Lead Paint Requirements for Builders and Remodelers

On April 22, 2010, a contractor performing any type of renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978, must now be an EPA-approved certified renovator and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

When working on a home that test positive for lead paint, the EPA lead paint approved renovator must use lead-safe work practices and follow these three procedures:

Contain the work area.

Minimize dust.

Clean up thoroughly.

Although the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA, makes it sound as though these are very simple procedures, in reality they are not quite so easy. These procedures can quickly become very complex and can sometimes become quite costly. From the initial intrusive lead paint test itself, to the workers having to wear hazmat type suits in the contaminate areas, the procedure can become quite “interesting.” Oddly enough, after all of these safety precautions are taken to protect the home’s occupants and keeping the lead dust contained so as not to enter the surrounding atmosphere, they then simply allow you to dispose of the debris in any dumpster. Go figure.

Now, even though this new rule will cover an estimated 79 million homes, the EPA itself estimates that a significantly smaller number of homes — about 38 million — still contain lead paint. Luckily, the Tampa Bay area is said to have relatively few homes with lead paint.

This new rule now requires remodelers and all other contractors disturbing more than six square feet of painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes, to dictate lead-safe work practices, pre-renovation consumer education and record keeping of work done.

The EPA said it was working on providing NAHB members with clarification on how the rule will apply to homes that were under construction before 1978 but not completed until after that time, when lead paint was no longer allowed.

The rule also requires remodelers to give records to their customers within 30 days of completing the job, including a checklist confirming that they followed the required lead-safe work practice steps.

American Housing Builders, Inc. and American Housing Remodeling, Inc. are now EPA lead paint certified and can handle all jobs that present itself. Please feel free to call us for more information at 727-546-6611, or simply go to the “Contact Us” page of our website and send a request for more information.

Homeowners never fail to be impressed by the difference major space changes can make in the quality of their family’s life.

You love your home, but maybe it isn’t working well for you anymore. You don’t want to leave your neighborhood, your neighbors or the schools your children attend, but you feel that something must to be done to refit your home to your current lifestyle.

Not to worry. Adding a room addition on to your existing home may be a major undertaking, but it can also be a very fulfilling experience, especially if the remodeling is well designed. Excellent design is critical, since the remodeling can either enhance or detract from your existing structure. The one thing you don’t want is an addition that clashes, or sticks out like a sore thumb.

American Housing begins by evaluating the style of your home. Each home style has specific architectural lines and details which can be echoed in the design of your addition. Next, we think in terms of scale. A common design mistake is an addition that either overshadows the original home, or is too small and insignificant to add to the overall architectural style.

In looking at your home, we pay special attention to your roof, the style of your windows, the architectural details and the types of materials used in the original construction. Repeating design elements is an excellent method of creating an addition that looks as though it has always been there.

The design of the interior offers a little more flexibility, since it is not viewed in its entirety, as is the exterior. We will strive for a comfortable transition from existing to new. For example, the ceiling height and style can make a big difference in the tone of a room. This can add drama to a contemporary or traditionally designed space in a living room, kitchen, bathroom or family room.

There is little that is more satisfying than living in a home that has been beautifully remodeled with a new room addition. We are Pinellas County remodeling professionals specializing in one and two story room additions, along with the remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms. We provide a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty with all of our room additions. Call us at 727-546-6611 for more information.